Inauguration of IBA |
IBA began its existence in 1986 as a spin-off of the Cyclotron Research Center of the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL), which produced its first cyclotron in 1947. The objective was to exploit a unique expertise in particle accelerator technology to meet growing needs in the fields of medicine and industry.While initially active in medical imaging, IBA quickly recognized the need to diversify.
So, the company turned its attention to radiotherapy and developed cyclotrons able to treat numerous forms of cancer with a degree of precision and efficacy not possible before. Then, in 1992, IBA expanded activities into the industrial sector of Sterilization & Ionization by introducing the Rhodotron®, a new type of particle accelerator based on a patented concept of the French Atomic Energy Commission.
Funds raised on the Brussels stock market from an initial public offering in June 1998 enabled IBA to accelerate progress by internal growth and the acquisition of other companies, all offering technologies and services reinforcing or complementing IBA’s core competencies.
Acquisition of Eastern Isotopes |
In 2001, IBA became the majority shareholder of Eastern Isotopes, Inc. Eastern Isotopes was founded in 1993 in Sterling, Virginia, USA. The company’s incorporation as Eastern Isotopes came in 1995. In an effort to plan for what the founders saw as the “future of nuclear medicine”, Eastern Isotopes installed its first cyclotron in the Sterling facility in August 1998. This enabled the company to continue producing the standard nuclear medicine products, but also expand into the new PET imaging products, most notably FDG. This was the first step of several that established Eastern Isotopes as a leader within the PET imaging community.
The purchase of Eastern Isotopes was an opportunity for IBA to fulfill its strategy of setting up US-based FDG production centers to meet the growing needs of hospitals and imaging centers. Under the terms of the agreement, IBA had the option of buying all remaining shares in the years to come. In March of 2004, IBA exercised this option and Eastern Isotopes became a wholly owned subsidiary of IBA.
Formation of IBA Molecular |
On April 21, 2006, all of the PET Radiopharmaceuticals & Isotopes activities of IBA and Eastern Isotopes, along with the cyclotron equipment sales, transitioned to the new IBA Molecular business unit. This formation of the IBA Molecular business unit enabled IBA to leverage its global expertise and innovation to offer its customers an international distribution network, more research isotopes and greater access to advanced cyclotron technology.
Leading the Fight Against Cancer and Debilitating Diseases |
IBA Molecular continues to invest in its technology to provide the most advanced cyclotron solutions around the world. In addition, the company is expanding its PET Radiopharmaceuticals & Isotopes network through greenfields as well as major acquisitions. The company’s purchase of Schering AG’s European FDG and CIS bio international radiopharmaceutical business , makes IBA Molecular the only global radiopharmaceutical provider. In addition, IBAMolecular recently opened a greenfield in Delhi, Inida.
IBA Molecular has unparalleled expertise to design cyclotrons and produce and distribute radiopharmaceutical markers used in hospitals on a daily basis to accurately and promptly detect cancers, as well as heart and neurological diseases. The ultimate goal is to translate this expertise and innovation into products and services that will enhance the well being of people worldwide.
